But it turns out that some of the wackiest traditions revolve around Easter - just when you thought celebrating the rebirth of a Jesus by eating chocolate eggs delivered by a pink bunny was strange enough.

Some of the odd Cornish rituals we follow to mark Good Friday and Easter Sunday have been carried out for over 100 years and perhaps that's why we've never questioned them.

Quaint traditions like sailing model boats around a pond are easier to trace but when it comes to dogs chasing a man dressed as a giant bunny, we are a little less informed as to where that tradition comes from.

Top Easter facts

The first chocolate egg in the UK was produced in 1873 by Fry’s of Bristol

On Easter Sunday, some people traditionally roll painted eggs down steep hills

The gesture of giving eggs at Easter has been traced back to Egyptians, Persians, Gauls, Greeks and Romans. Back then the egg was a symbol of life

Every child in the UK receives an average of 8.8 Easter eggs every year – double their recommended calorie intake for a whole week

When tucking into a chocolate bunny rabbit, 76%of people bite the ears off first

Consols Pond Boat Race, St Ives

People gather at the side of Consols Pond to sail their boats

Families in St Ives have enjoyed the tradition of sailing model boats at Consols Pond in St Ives on Good Friday for nearly 100 years.

It all started in the early 1900s, by fisherman and children who started sailing model boats in the harbour.

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Held as a bit of fun in the sun, the traditional dog race has a slight twist as each year after the Easter bunny has finished delivering delicious chocolate eggs it comes along to join in the fun - and, according to organisers, 'always manages to stay one hop ahead'.

To be the Easter bunny takes careful selection and training according to organisers, and last year's rabbit Tony Clark said that he was "feeling pretty confident", before the race.

Trigging or cockling at the Helford River

Low tide at Helford Passage on the Helford River on Good Friday is the traditional time for "trigging" when locals appear to collect cockles using forks spades and hoes to perpetuate an ancient tradition

Join the crowds at low tide on Good Friday each year to take part in the traditional activity of collecting cockles and periwinkles at the Helford River.

Cook them up at home with some garlic, chilli, lemon, chopped parsley and Cornish butter and you are onto a winner.

The north coast is said to be better if you are looking for limpets and mussels but head south for cockles and winkles.

Grab your wellies and a group of friends for fun beside the sea (hopefully in the sunshine).

Any undersized cockles (smaller than a 20p piece) should be left behind to ensure that future generations can enjoy this activity by protecting our natural heritage.

And here are a couple more quirky traditions to look forward to...

May Horns

May Horns parade (Image: Greg Martin)

Every year large crowds gather in Penzance to celebrate the May Horns parade which was held up until the 1930s and revived in 2008.

The parade entails people making their way over from the edge of Newlyn to central Penzance while blowing horns and whistle and playing music.

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The May Horns parade celebrates the coming of summer and is designed to make enough noise with an eclectic collection of horns to scare the devil of winter away.

Obby Oss

The 'Obby 'Oss festival is a folk custom that takes place each May Day in Padstow

The exact origins of the uniquely Cornish 'Obby 'Oss Day are unknown, but, similar to other festivals that mark the coming of spring, it is believed to be connected to the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane.

Some believe it has its roots in pagan times, others that it's a rain maker, a fertility symbol, a deterrent to a possible landing by the French centuries ago.

C S Gilbert wrote about what he saw there almost 200 years ago: "There is an annual jubilee kept up at Padstow, on May 1, known by the name of the Hobby Horse, in illusion to which, the inhabitants dress up a man in a horses skin, and lead him through the different streets.

"This odd looking animal amuses, by many whimsical exploits, the crowd which follows at his heels, particularly by taking up water dirty water, wherever it is found, and throwing it into the mouths of his gaping companions.